Kerryon Johnson rushed for a career-high five touchdowns and No. 15 Auburn ended its recent offensive struggles in a 51-14 victory over Missouri on Saturday night.

Johnson, who had missed the previous two games with a hamstring injury, finished with 48 yards rushing on 18 carries and fell one short of Carnell Williams' school record of six rushing touchdowns in a game.

Jarrett Stidham added 218 yards passing and a touchdown while completing 13 of 17 passes for Auburn (3-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference). Auburn's Carlton Davis also had an interception, one of four Missouri (1-3, 0-2) turnovers in the game.

Drew Lock finished 23-of-39 passing for 216 yards and a pair of touchdowns for Missouri, which allowed its most points since a 63-37 loss to Tennessee last season.

THE TAKEAWAY

AUBURN: The Tigers' offense entered the game looking like anything but a Gus Malzahn-coached team, having allowed 11 sacks in a loss to Clemson and committing five turnovers in last week's win over Mercer. Aided by Johnson's return, Auburn returned to its high-scoring form from the start - highlighted by completions of 58 and 46 yards by Stidham in the first half.

MISSOURI: Missouri's season-long struggles with defense continued on Saturday night, with the Tigers allowing 482 yards of total offense by Auburn. Missouri entered the game 103rd in the country and last in the SEC in total defense, and its problems showed in particular in the first half - when Auburn scored 31 points and scored on all four of its red zone chances.

UP NEXT

AUBURN: The Tigers play their first game against an SEC West Division opponent when they host No. 17 Mississippi State next week.

MISSOURI: After four straight home games to open the season, Missouri is off next week before traveling to Kentucky on Oct. 7.

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Defensive back Jamel Dean and center Casey Dunn were first-time starters for Auburn this evening

This was the first game this season that Auburn scored a touchdown on its opening drive

31 is the most first-half points scored by Auburn since the Mississippi State game last season

Auburn has held the opponent without a first-quarter touchdown in its last nine games

Auburn’s last 50-point performance in an SEC road game was in 2013, a 55-23 win at Tennessee; this is the 18th 50-point offensive output since Malzahn has been either head coach (10 total) or offensive coordinator at Auburn

Auburn is 325-9 all-time when scoring 30 points in a game, 31-5 under Malzahn. Auburn is 19-2 under Malzahn scoring 40 points in a game.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER NOTES

Kerryon Johnson’s five rushing touchdowns tonight give him 19 for his career and five scores for the season. It’s Johnson’s fourth career multiple-score game and the first since Ole Miss last season. It’s his first game with five rushing touchdowns and the most by an Auburn player since Peyton Barber had five rushing TD vs. San José State in 2015

With 1,287 career rushing yards, Kerryon Johnson is 37th on the Auburn career rushing list, passing Fred Beasley (1,241 yards from 1994-97)

Will Hastings’ 46-yard reception from Jarrett Stidham was Hastings’ longest career catch

Kyle Davis’ 58-yard reception from Jarrett Stidham was a career long for Davis and Auburn’s longest pass play of the season

Nate Craig-Myers’ 57-yard touchdown reception was a career long reception for him and his second career touchdown catch

DEFENSIVE PLAYER NOTES

Stephen Roberts has crossed the 100-tackle mark for his career and has 101 total

Carlton Davis recorded his fourth career interception, his first of the season

Marlon Davidson recorded his second career fumble recovery

Jeff Holland recorded his third forced fumble, second this season

Montavious Atkinson recorded his first career forced fumble and Daniel Thomas recorded his first career fumble recovery

Jordyn Peters records his first career sack and forced his first career fumble. Tyrone Truesdell recorded his first career fumble recovery

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER NOTES

Daniel Carlson extended his school record to 392 career points scored, now fourth best in SEC history, passing Leigh Tiffin (Alabama, 2006-09) for fourth best in SEC history

Carlson has converted 155 consecutive PAT attempts, a school record and tied for second best in SEC history. As a team, Auburn has 182 consecutive PAT converted, the fourth longest active streak nationally

Carlson’s 56-yard field goal was his longest of the season, his 11th career FG of 50+ yards and third 50+ yard FG of the season. Carlson has eight field goals made this season and a school-record 77 for his career